Not all perfumes are made with sugar, spice, and everything nice. The sweetest smelling fragrances are sometimes crafted from the vilest of materials. Take, for example, ambergris, a precious substance derived from the feces of sperm whales.
Yes… sperm whale poop. While nothing about the fecal matter of marine mammals sounds sophisticated or sweet-smelling, ambergris is one of the most valuable raw materials in perfumery. For many years, this curious material has been dubbed as the “treasure of the sea” or “floating gold”.
Where is ambergris found?

The origins of ambergris was a mystery for so many years. Before it was attributed to sperm whales, several theories were proposed. Some thought it was the droppings of large birds, while others believed it to be hardened sea foam.
It wasn’t until the 1800s when large-scale whaling began that its origins were uncovered. Ambergris did come from sperm whales, but its biological purpose in a whale’s body still isn’t fully understood. Ambergris is a blackish or dull grey waxy lump that consists mainly of undigested squid parts (sperm whales love munching on giant squid).
It is often found floating on the sea, washed up on coastlines, or inside the stomachs of dead sperm whales. Scientists theorize that ambergris helps the marine mammal pass sharp objects through its intestines.
Why is ambergris so expensive?

In 2016, three fishermen in Oman accidentally stumbled upon a chunk of ambergris that weight 176 pounds – it netted them nearly $3,000,000. How could whale poop be so expensive?
The material’s hefty price tag is attributed to how long it’s formed. Ambergris may float in the ocean for as long as 30 years before being washed up and found by perfume makers.
No other whales besides the sperm whales produce ambergris, making it somewhat of a collector’s item. It is a true rarity – found in less than 5% of sperm whale carcasses that make it to shore
What does ambergris smell like?
The longer ambergris floats, the better it smells. A white coating caused by oxidization forms on the surface from years of being buoyed by sea water. It is often described as having a sweet earthy aroma and a musky scent. Others describe the material to have a mossy fragrance that’s akin to that of a damp forest floor.
Our favorite ambergris fragrances
Due to accessibility and cost, synthetic chemicals have now replaced ambergris in all but the most expensive perfumes. Here are some of our favorite ambergris fragrances.
Bvlgari Man Wood Neroli
A woody floral musk fragrance for men created by superstar perfumer Alberto Morillas.
Top notes: Neroli and bergamot
Middle notes: Orange blossom, virginia cedar and cypriol oil or nagarmotha
Base notes: Woody Notes, ambergris, white Musk, wmber and leather.
Paco Rabanne Olympea Aqua
A floral aquatic fragrance for women launched in 2016.
Top notes: Water notes, calabrian bergamot, orange, petitgrain, and grapefruit
Middle notes: Ginger flower, jasmine, orange blossom, peach, and rose
Base notes: Salt, vanilla, ambergris, cashmere wood, sandalwood and benzoin
Calvin Klein Eternity Air Men
An aromatic fougere fragrance for men launched in 2016.
Top notes: Sea Notes, ozonic notes, juniper Berries and mandarin orange
Middle notes: Lavender, green apple and violet leaf
Base notes: Seaweed, ambergris and patchouli.
Issey Miyake Pure Women
A floral aquatic fragrance for women crafted by Dominique Ropion
Top notes: Sea notes
Middle notes: Lily, jasmine, orange blossom and damask rose
Base notes: Ambergris and cashmere wood
Related Resources:
- Take Note: A Guide to Bergamot
- 5 Fragrance Notes for Better Productivity
- The Harmony of Fragrance Notes
24 comments
Laode agus salim
Please any one of you has trust buyer for ambergres, would you to call me please I need the buyer. My mobile +62813 41074192
Laode agus salim
Please any one of you has trust buyer for ambergres, would you to call me please I need the buyer.
Kimberly nicole
we found a ambergris in Philippines color white 1 1/2 kl grams frome balingoan misamis oriental
Simon
We have ambergris please txt 09663051461
Fernando S Mojica
We are brokering 70 Kilos of whale ambergis located at Real and Nakar Quezon colored white and yellow. Please assist us in looking for legitimate buyer, thanks
James bond
Who has minimum 300kg up. Leave email or number
Joffry D. Casquijo
Good day i have 1000kls+ ambergris, im looking a legit buyer,, ready to sell,,from Puerto princesa city Palawan Philippines
Joffry D. Casquijo
Meron ako 1000+kls ambergris,,color white,,yellow,brown
james bryan b. Yeban
I have 900 kilos ambergris, white, black,yellow and brown.
jack
i have 50 kilos white ambergris.. do you buy ambergris?
shiela
i have 7kilos of ambergris ,how much it cost ??
i have 7kg of ambergris
i have 7kg of ambergris
Arsenio hernandez jr
I have 1kl ambergris.
Ding sabas
I have amborgis 400grams black colories,
Rodel
Ferdinand Tutor
We have 50 kilos plus gray Ambergris. Please contact me directly at +639201883102
markcly linaga
i found looks like aburggris can you confirm if is it a real
Gordon Kevon
We found kilos and kilos if Ambergris floating and we are looking geniune buyers
Please help us
Contact Gordon Kevon
Gordon Kevon
Dear Sir
I want to advice you that i have found kilos and kilos of Ambergris floating in sea, which my people have been collecting since last month September, me and my people are looking for buyers now around the world
We are currently Autonomous Region of Boufainville an Island in Papua New Guinea.
Our people have been living on the islands and
Been struggling to make a living.This is the golden gift given to us and we seek genuine buyers to responses and we will supply the products .
Please call me on 675 72086874
Carlo delacruz
Hellow I have ambergris half kilo and i looking for buyer ☺️
09756039376
Carlo delacruz
Hellow I have ambergris half kilo and i looking for buyer ☺️
Tonette
I have whale ambergris ready to sell located at southern part in the Philppines..
Crisanto Canon Jr
Hi hello good day..
I m looking a buyer and I have some Whale Ambergris ready to sell 32 kilos and above located in the Southern Part of the Philippines.
Thank you for your time and have a nice day..
RESPECTFULLY YOURS,
MR. CHRIS
Jenny Rose Gumampang
I have a ambergris,how much it cost?